(TL-84)

Saul Conrad’s Requiem is a musical setting of the 12th century poem Dies Irae. It combines, perhaps for the first time, singer/songwriter stylings with the rigors of a classical and sacred form—the Requiem Mass—a prayer on behalf of dying souls.

Supported by piano, a pipe organ, 1st and 2nd violin, viola, electric bass, french horn and oboe, Saul sings a combination of the original Latin verse and his own words drawn from the stories and scenes of the poem. Influences include Alexander Skip Spence’s Oar, Bach’s Goldberg Variations, Mozart’s Requiem and Great C Minor Mass, Chopin’s Preludes, and the adagio of Mahler’s last symphony. Requiemis dedicated to Saul’s great-uncle, Claude Frank.